Here to Stay Key and Chords
Found in: Curriculum, Jazz Clues, Scale & Key Signature
Jo C., Australia
I’m wondering if ‘Here To Stay’ from the Jazz program commences in the key of D minor and then modulates to A minor around the third line. I’ve had a student ask me why the g in the A11 chord is natural. Any thoughts?
Neil Moore
It is Amin, but for the fun of it (and further to the very positive response I received regarding his last video), I’ve asked Dr. Joe Gilman to give us a breakdown of the piece:
https://www.facebook.com/theneilmoore/videos/1169781743788596
Jo C., Australia
oh yes, I only quickly looked at the first chord but that makes sense. I would expect to see at least some b flats if it was d minor i guess. Interesting the g#’s only come in half way through.
Robin T., Australia
Jo A harmonic minor scale is A B C D E F G# A The g# is the 3rd of the dominant E7
Jo C., Australia
Robin that’s a huge help. Thank you. I’ve just had a light bulb moment 😊
Leeanne I., Australia
Jo and remember a piece can always have accidentals. The notes don’t always have to be part of the scale.
Mark M., New York
The simplest answer to why an A11 chord includes a G natural is that it’s by definition. The only slightly more complex answer is that the G is the “7” just as in an A7, like in Acc. 1’s 7 chords and Amazing Grace 7ths — the note a whole step below the root note. Any kinds of 9, 11 and 13 chords are all extensions of the related 7 chord, just adding extra notes to it. The 7 remains in all of them. Related/more info in the Chord Details PDF that’s part of my Acc Knacks Program.
Original discussion started April 4, 2022